An examination of popular fun feminist arguments, from a radical perspective.

Monday, 9 November 2015

An Alternative to Cultural Relativism - Part 2

This post will focus on applying the
principles discussed in the last post to
real world issues, so check it out first. This second part will be somewhat focussed
on Australia, but feel free to apply my approach to other countries.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Introduction

In recent decades,
immigration, fuelled by the global expansion of technology, labour markets and
media, has caused previously white dominated countries, including Australia,
the United States, Canada and some Western European nations, to become more ethnically
diverse. This has increased the potential for cultural conflict. Liberals respond to this problem by insisting on cultural relativism, the belief that
no cultural idea or practice should ever be criticised (see my previous postand this earlier one for
more information). This viewpoint is often
used to justify misogynistic practices, which originated outside of the West,
including female genital mutilation and foot binding (see my previous post for
more information about cultural relativism).

Meanwhile, reactionaries
endorse the maintenance (or rather creation) of a homogenous culture within the
West. Some are outright racists who despise immigrants (those who are not white,
that is). Others, such as Rise up Australia, claim to not be racist and to only
oppose "multiculturalism". Nowadays the word
"multiculturalism" seems to be used only by the right. Liberals have
abandoned it in favour of "cultural diversity" (a term I find far
more irritating, for reasons I will discuss later). This post will put forward
a radical leftist vision of multiculturalism, as an alternative to both relativism
and racist repression.

The
Radical Approach to CultureCultural relativists
believe that world is full of societies and cultures which are all drastically
different from each and demand that they all be “respected” (which really means,
blindly praised). Thus liberals exaggerate the amount of “cultural diversity” in the world (while implying that “diversity” is inherently good
regardless of its consequences). However, the main problem with this demand is
that it is not possible to respect all elements of a foreign culture or society,
for no society has a single culture. Contrary to liberal belief,
all hierarchical societies are similar in certain ways. They all have a
dominant culture (often expressed through schools, religious institutions,
media and literature) which is created by the ruling class and is aimed at
reinforcing its rule. Different ruling classes may employ different tactics
(traditional ruling classes often claim that their power was granted to them by
God, while more modern ones claim that they earned it by being smarter than everyone else), but they all have the same general aim of protecting the hierarchical systems which favour them.Most societies also have rebels,
people who actively oppose the dominant culture, often with the aim of ending
oppressive or unjust policies (though unfortunately, some groups who see
themselves as rebellious are either extremely reactionary or have no conscious
cause). More radical rebels aim to change the entire social order. They form
movements and create cultural products (such as videos and writings) which
challenge the dominant ideology. Therefore we must all choose which sections of
foreign cultures (and of our own) we will endorse, those that defend oppressive
orders or those that resist them.Since the mainstream
culture usually reinforces views which help to keep the ruling class in power
it should be subjected to a ruthless critique. Cultural relativism discourages
such critiques. As Francois Tremblay pointed out (in a comment he left on my previous post),
the cultural relativist viewpoint implies that resisting oppressive institutions
is wrong. Proponents of cultural relativism would have to label all such
rebellion as “disrespectful” towards the people whom the institutions (and the
culture they create) rule over. This accusation assumes that all people support
the dominant institutions within their culture.

Cultural
relativists may argue that they allow those who are part of a culture to
criticise it (though whenever someone does, they are usually accused of
betraying their culture or “internalising” oppression). However, forbidding foreigners
from criticising cultural institutions still deprives local movements of much
needed solidarity from Western radicals.

All cultural products and
practices should be open to criticism, no matter who creates them or for what
purpose. Slavery and racist segregation were criticised with the intention of
inspiring active opposition, which lead to their formal abolition (within the
West). Political radicals should direct the same type of criticism towards cultural
products that are created by the ruling class to reinforce capitalist values
and have little to no intellectual merit, such as pornography or advertising.

Criticism can also be constructive, meaning that it aims to improve the thing being criticised. This type of criticism will be discussed in the following sections. Such criticism is necessary because even less oppressive cultures have flaws. However, these cultures need not be destroyed by such critiques. They can be transformed into more egalitarian forms while their positive aspects are preserved.Breaking Down BarriersSince it is easier to form
friendships (and romantic relationships) with those you perceive as similar to
you, the liberal approach to cultural issues creates barriers between people of
different ethnic backgrounds, by exaggerating the differences between such
people (such exaggeration was discussed in the first section of this post and
in my original discussion of cultural relativism). There are also a number of
other liberal ideas which form such barriers.

For example, liberals
assume that only those who belong to a culture can understand it. While an
insider perspective is useful for understanding the emotions associated with
belonging to a particular culture and the mistreatment which people may
experience on the basis of their culture or race, sometimes an outsider
perspective is needed. Outsiders are typically more capable of spotting
problems with a culture. Therefore liberal condemnation of the outsider
perspective is yet another way to prevent valid criticisms of culture
practices.

Then there is the concept
of “cultural appropriation”. It is indeed objectionable to take the symbols or
language of a particular culture and use them as decoration without regard for their
original meaning or worse to promote the opposite of what they originally
meant. An example of this would be companies using Soviet or radical leftist imagery
(including images of Che Guevara) to sell products. However, cultures have been
borrowing from one another for thousands of years (“Western science” owes a
great deal to the Arabic world, as does any Westerner who uses sugar). I see
nothing wrong with this, so long as due credit is given and nothing is
distorted or misused.

Those who practice
these alternative cultures have many valid critiques of the West, in the same
way that Westerners can have valid critiques of less powerful cultures. Thus borrowing
from other cultures should not be universally condemned. Of course, those who
borrow from other cultures of racial groups should not claim misleadingly claim
to be members of them. That said, different of different backgrounds can learn
a great deal from each other without making such claims.

For example, some
Australian Aboriginals criticise Western culture for promoting the belief that it
is acceptable to treat the environment as if it were disposable (since we
supposedly have souls which will leave this world upon death). You can watch
the documentary “Utopia” by John Pilger,
which focuses on the conditions of Aboriginals in Australia, to hear this claim
presented in their own words (though the documentary does contain some mild
sexism). Those who wish to be consistent in their relativism would have to
dismiss this criticism and argue that environmental destruction is fine (since
it is part of Western culture) or that no Westerner could ever understand or
apply an Aboriginal principle.

When we are exposed to other cultures it should make us question (though not necessarily denounce altogether) the one we have been raised with. Relativism encourages Westerners to believe that (while their culture may not be superior to others and should not be "forced" onto others) it is nonetheless "true" and acceptable to them. The view that your beliefs are subjective "to you", rather than objective, is not the same as honest self criticism and ideological questioning. While labelling ideas as "my (or their) truth" may seem respectful to liberals, it prevents genuine intellectual engagement with other ways of thinking.A Radical Approach to CultureModern day reactionaries
argue that Western nations, like Australia, should have a homogenous
“Australian” culture (which would, if it existed, look nothing like that
envisioned by the highly authoritarian and definitely not relaxed or “chill”,
Rise up Australia Party). I, however, would argue that a functioning society does
not need a single culture, but rather, a unifying set of aims. These aims can be based
on the almost universally accepted human values (discussed in the previous post). People may aspire towards such
aims while adhering to whatever culture they wish, so long as they are willing
to accept criticism and alter their cultural practices in accordance with such
aims.

At the core of both
cultural relativism and the belief in the need for a single culture is a desire
to maintain social harmony. I think harmony is over rated and a threat to
intellectual liberty. If a society appears to be harmonious, there are probably
people in that society who are keeping controversial opinions to themselves.

While I do not favour
violent conflicts among the masses, the multicultural society which I want to
see emerge (after a socialist revolution, yes I am a revolutionary socialist, deal
with it), will not be a harmonious one, but one filled with open disagreement
and debate. Contrary to liberal belief, passionate debate is not only a
necessary part of living in a free society, it is a good thing. Debates are a
valuable means of determining the correct path forward and discouraging blind
belief in authorities. They also teach people how to defend their claims with
rational arguments and enables them to understand that “you are wrong and here
is why” are not the most horrible words on the planet.

At the same time, the masses
(in my ideal, multicultural society) will be united in the broader aim of
creating an egalitarian society, just as scientists are united in their search
for an accurate understanding of reality (or, to use a term which horrifies relativists,
the truth), even while they disagree about the exact nature of reality.

The
positive aspects and ideas of the various cultures that are practiced in
Australia and similar nations (which will be identified through vigorous
debate) will be preserved. These include the scientific knowledge that comes
from Western, Arabic and Chinese cultures, as well as the importance of
respecting the natural environment, which comes from Aboriginal and other
indigenous cultures. Meanwhile the negative
aspects of these cultures, including authoritarianism (promoted
through mainstream religions and in milder form through some Aboriginal
narratives) will be challenged. This does not mean that stories with objectionable
elements will be erased from living memory, but rather they will subjected to
scrutiny (in the same way that ideological texts from the past are), instead of
being taught to children with the intention that they be believed and their
moral commands blindly obeyed.

To put it simply, I believe that Australia (and all other nations for that matter for I believe in moral universalism) should allow the practice of a variety of cultures, while encouraging those who practice those cultures to transform them in accordance with broad, egalitarian objectives. I consider this form of multiculturalism to be far more liberating than the relativistic, mental segregation advocated by liberals.

Conclusion

In summary, people of all
cultures (including Western culture) should accept criticisms of their culture
while also trying to learn from other cultures (this is different from blindly
“accepting” other cultures in a relativistic manner). Ideas and practices from
various cultures which are true or beneficial will be preserved, while those
which are harmful are will be abolished (preferably by reasoning with those who
believe in or practice them rather than by force).

It
is possible that this alternative form of multiculturalism will lead to society
abandoning the whole notion of separate cultures. Instead people would enjoy
whatever food, music, celebrations, rituals and stories they preferred (so long
as they are consistent with egalitarian ideals) regardless of what skin colour
they were born with. For this to occur, it is necessary that racial inequality be
abolished, so that the reality of how people are targeted for oppression because
of their physical traits is not muddled or concealed. Overall however, I think
the creation of a general human culture (which will lead to more individuality,
not less, as liberals may insist) would be a very positive development.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I
would have mentioned the recent anniversary of the Russian Revolution were I
not concerned about scaring off liberals before they got to the actual content
of my post. Since you have already read this far I guess I can now. Oops, I
already did. All I will say is that I hope that the history of socialist
revolutions has not yet ended.

8 comments:

They seem to think this is respecting a different kind of people, but really it is valuing things over people, because they are defending dress styles, food, dance, and other things which are important but cannot feel disrespected, whereas people can feel isolated, lonely, empty, hurt, forgotten, out of place, spiteful, disappointed, bored, and so on.There is multiculturalism even among so-thought-of-as homogenous groups. There is cyberpunk, asceticism, Bhuddist monastic life, people who live and breathe sport, musicians, the theater, farm life and so on. There are also different value systems: those who are hedonistic, those who believe in a strong work ethic, those who are minimalist, and so on. All of these are open for the individual to choose which they want to be their life and none are permanent. In a world where technology and philosophy has freed the individual from being just whatever their society turned them into, the last thing that would happen is a monochrome world where everyone lived the same way. The more we advance the more options are open to people. The goal should always be to free the individual from any notion of “rightful” culture, anything that they should be or is forbidden to them. At the end of the day appropriation is about valuing arbitrary cultural artifacts and things over living feeling individuals. No way of dance or preparing food, or growing food, or caring for animals, or anything should be forgotten. But the insistence that these things belong to one type of person rather than anyone from the human race is ridiculous and anti-human, and when it is only the matter of having the appropriate skin tone it is also racist.We are all pretty much the same and we want the same things. The differences are small, where one person might wish to go to raves and dress in neon the other may want to sit on the porch looking at the stars after a day of work on the farm, but both probably require social bonding, a sense of belonging, a sense of security, and justice, and they both are doing what is enjoyable for them and probably appreciate that they are not forced to live the way the other one does. The farmer frees the raver from working for food and the raver gives the farmer a sense of purpose. Why should they hate or wish to change the other? Why do they need any other label such as a race or regional designation to mark a difference between them? They are both human, but very different, and much better together than at odds. I don’t really think homogeny exists outside of chosen social grouping/identities, and if it does, I really think it shouldn’t.But one disagreement, “science” is not some innocent quest for knowledge. Because of state and corporate funding much of scientific endeavor is geared toward political or capitalist agendas. See http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/, Sheldon Krimsky, Ruth Hubbard, and http://antipsychiatry.org/ to name a few. Private scientific endeavor is in a sorry state, people imagine scientists are like Darwin or Einstein, just people pursuing passion and innocent knowledge but really these days people are commissioned by the drug companies, publications, political agendas, and silenced by political correctness and adherence to the proper paradigm (see Thomas Khun). Not to mention people like Richard Dawkins who use science just to prove a point within a pointless false dichotomy: all religious/spiritual people are probably wrong but they’re not all evil. And it’s just like that with liberals and false radicals, they pretend to care about justice but really they only want to change things that affect them, or they want to sound progressive/clever but have no empathy. They use politics as an identity or as a means to superficially make their own lives nicer but there is no real care for humanity or people that are invisible to them. Both science and politics are rife with false sincerity and false objectivity.

It seems to me that the right-wingers (by which I mean liberals and conservatives) are all too happy to accept "diversity" as long as it doesn't affect them in any way (e.g. eating foreign foods). But they don't think of it as diversity, just as an outgrowth of capitalism. Weird.

I think it's very telling how "fun feminism" is thought of by the modern Left as the only form of "inclusive feminism", not because it advances the struggles of women from all backgrounds, but because it enables the Left to ignore contradictions that may be found outside of the scope of Western paradigms/society.

I'll repeat myself: the Left is obsessed with maintaining the illusion of innocence, which makes it prone to infantilism. Either the Left has to look innocent, or the people on whom they're placing their revolutionary aspirations have to look completely innocent. The problem with this is, of course, de-radicalization and the unwillingness to act. If the Left seizes institutions that make up the superstructure it's now in a position where it can do wrong. If the Left tries to address contradictions that occur in cultures outside of its own, it risks being labeled chauvinist or orientalist or whatever. But in reality, it's all dishonest. If the Left really did, say, think traditional Islam is the greatest religion ever, they'd probably convert or insist that Marxism combine itself with Islamic theology - but they don't. For them, it's just a fetish for temporary gratification.

The mainstream left is pretty wimpy and eager to appease right wingers. This submissive attitude has to some extent rubbed off onto the radical left, since its decline has made it more desperate for popularity. Some radical leftists might adopt more mainstream positions in order to get liberals to like them. I know I am repeating myself here too, but I doubt everything I write will be read, so why not?

"If the Left really did, say, think traditional Islam is the greatest religion ever, they'd probably convert or insist that Marxism combine itself with Islamic theology - but they don't. For them, it's just a fetish for temporary gratification."

In my experience, radical leftist who support Islam do not actually think that it is the greatest religion ever. They are just pro-religion in general and think that Islam in particular needs to be defended because it is being supressed.

I agree that Muslims are unfairly discriminated against (in the West, where Christianity is the dominant religion). I support their freedom of religion and oppose reactionaries who exaggerate the harms posed by Islam to the West (the danger of terrorism, for example, is vastly overestimated).

However, I am opposed to religion in general and I am really annoyed that nobody (in the radical left or elsewhere) is allowed to criticise religion because religious people supposed can't handle criticism of their viewpoints. If you cannot handle the mildest, most rational and progressive criticisms of your beliefs, I do not want you in any organisation that I am part of, no matter what those beliefs are.

Leftist do not convert to Islam because most of them are in fact atheists and probably do not know enough about Islam to convert. They just go along with the general principle that religion should not be criticised and say that Marxism is consistant with religion because that position will supposedly make them more popular.

If you want me to be pro-religion tell me why religion is good, instead of promising that people will like me more if I am pro-religion. It is indeed somewhat dishonest, but the pro-religion viewpoint extends beyond the radical left and Islam, so I do not blame either. I think that problem is a rise in intellectual cowardice and laziness in general.

Once you've created a simple firm idea, as long as you keep repeating it, eventually will make it a reality. To training, and adhere to, repeat, this is your key to success; perseverance, will eventually reach the threshold.____________________________I like: Buy Cheap Runescape 2007 Gold and Cheap Runescape 2007 Gold

Sorry I didn't rely to this comment either. I need time to sort out my thoughts about most matters.

I agree with Maoist third worldism to extent in that I think the third world is severely disadvantaged compared to the first world and that first world imperialism should be resisted. It is probably also true that the high standard of living in the first world can only be maintain through exploiting third world countries.

However, I think it is an overstatement to say that first world workers are not exploited at all or that they are not part of the proletariat (which seems to be the dominant position among first world-ists). It seems like a way to guilt trip first world workers without actually accomplishing anything and it could discourage them from demanding better wages and conditions. In some cases it resembles the right wing idea that workers should be grateful to have jobs and enough wealth to survive at all. I don't like telling people to shut up and be grateful.

The way I see it, first world workers are still subordinate to capitalists and contribute far more to the world through their labour than capitalists do simply be having wealth and power. They may be relatively pampered subordinates within the system but they are subordinates nonetheless. To argue that they aren't workers is like the liberal, identity politics argument that white women with decent standards of living aren't oppressed enough to be deserving of sympathy because they're not part of some other oppression category (e.g. being black or poor).

There is the exploitation of workers by capitalists in each country and there is the exploitation of the third world by the first world. Both of the these are serious problems and neither negates the existence of the other.

I don't really know enough about LLCO or Maoist Rebel News to comment on them, but the impression I get based on what I have seen makes them seem a little dogmatic and sectarian. They're too sure that there leftism is the only form of leftism worthy of discussion. There's nothing wrong with believing in an ideology. I certainly don't want to preach relativism, but movements should be prepared to have productive dialogues with other leftist movements instead of completely denouncing them all. I do appreciate the fact that Maoist Rebel News takes a firm anti-pornography stance, though.

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About Me

I am a radical leftist who does not belong to any political party or organisation (hence the name "Independent Radical.) The labels I use to describe my political ideology are "revolutionary socialist" and "communist". My political and philosophical views have also been influenced by radical feminism, the atheist movement, the sceptic movement, utilitarianism and virtue ethics. I do not claim to represent any of these movements, but I hope that those who identify with them will get something out of my blog.
I have no interest in appealing to liberal feminists, liberals in general, queer theorists, libertarians, post-modernists or anyone else who thinks that "anything goes" with regard to questions of objective reality or ethical behaviour. I am an unashamed truth-seeker and moralist. If that offends you, do not read my posts.